Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Art of Devotion: The Career Works of Ecclesiastical Artist Anthony Visco

Tuesday, November 27: 6:30 – 8:30pm

Free to GCA students and faculty -- RSVP to: grandcentralacademy@gmail.com

Instructor: Anthony Visco, painter, sculptor, and church artist

“The Art of Devotion” invites us into the world of church artist, Anthony Visco, as he presents his career works of murals, statues, and reliefs made for use in devotion.

Mr. Visco provides us with insights into this world of content and context, and form and faith. As a two time recipient of the Arthur Ross Award for Sculpture, Anthony Visco was given both awards for his relief work in American churches. We listen as he describes the mind and method behind what he calls “disegno” and its role in art and architecture. He further explains the dependence of sacred art on sacred architecture and why we see the return of both to the classical form. As Mr. Visco describes his role in the realm of sacred art he will provide examples of works in situ and those still in progress for newly constructed churches.

While brilliant works of sculpture and architecture have survived since antiquity, nothing close to the masterpieces of painting described by ancient authors has ever been found. Despite the lack of a single worthy example, the lost painting of classical antiquity has held an enduring fascination for artists and collectors alike. Mr. Porter will discuss the changing notion of ancient painting and how attempts to reconstruct it have shaped art since the Renaissance.